Author: Capital Metro

May is National Bike Month and Capital Metro wants to take the opportunity to remind everyone the importance of sharing the road safely with cyclists.

Austin has a strong bicycling culture and cyclists are so commonplace we sometimes take them for granted. Throughout the month of May we plan to offer safety reminders and tips to make the most of Austin living if you do it from the seat of a bicycle.

One of the most basic reminders is to always wear a helmet. We have more motorized vehicles on the road thanks to the region’s rapid growth. That added traffic creates greater opportunities to encounter distracted drivers. Wearing a helmet could be a difference-maker in surviving a collision with another vehicle.

It doesn’t matter where you ride, or the distance of your trip, a helmet is essential. Make sure it’s the right size, ensure it fits snugly, it should rest properly on top of your head and it has to be strapped on.

We’re converting one lane of southbound traffic on Guadalupe into a northbound bus lane that lets all vehicles get through the intersection of MLK and Guadalupe/Lavaca a little bit faster. Currently, buses traveling north on Lavaca often get stuck at MLK, even though they have their own lane and signal priority. That’s because the turn from Lavaca onto MLK is difficult to make and highly congested during rush hour.

Our estimates suggest that each bus traveling through the intersection will go 18% faster, which means they’ll save 65 seconds during the peak travel time. And those seconds add up. During rush hour, more than 1,200 people ride the bus through this corridor, and this project will give them an additional 23 hours a year not sitting in traffic.

On a cold day last December, a team of Cap Metro and city of Austin staff gathered at our North Ops facility off Burnet to test out the new route. We laid out cones to match the lane configuration going from northbound Lavaca, turning left at 18th Street and then right on Guadalupe. It’s a tight turn, but as you can see below, the coordination between Cap Metro and city planners combined with the skills of our bus operators make for a smooth ride.

Safety is always top of mind for us, and so the bus lane will be clearly identified as being for buses only with signage and lane markings and separated from southbound vehicle lanes by posts. There will also be a new bike lane on 18th between Lavaca and Guadalupe that turns into a shared use path and improved sidewalk on Guadalupe.

So, this is great news! For bus riders, bike riders, pedestrians and drivers. But all of this takes some work, and so there will be construction that affects traffic over the next month or so. Please bear with us as we make these improvements. We apologize for the delays you may experience in June, but we think you’re going to like what the end of summer brings you.

This week, commuters are encouraged to keep their cars at home and use their bikes to get to work. May 13-17 is Bike to Work Week capped off by Bike to Work Day May 17.

The Austin bike community shows up big for Bike to Work Day with live music and complimentary drinks and snacks at special fueling stations along the way. New bike commuters can try routes alongside experienced cyclists and guides.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, 40% of all trips are less than two miles. From 2000 to 2013, bike commuters grew by 62%. Austin’s plethora of bike and pedestrian-only trails and well-marked bike lanes make the city ideal for commuters and Capital Metro is more than happy to help those wanting to make that transition.

If your job is farther than you’re comfortable riding, you can combine your bike commute with a bus or train ride. Capital Metro has convenient racks on the exterior of all local and MetroRapid buses that hold up to three bikes per rack. There is also space on each train compartment for bikes.

You can also lock and leave your bike at special bike shelters located at our most popular MetroRail stations and transit centers. They provide safe, secure places for you to stow your bike while you complete your commute. Think of it as a bicycle Park and Ride.

The shelters are at:

Kramer Station

Lakeline Station

MLK Jr. Station

Plaza Saltillo Station

Highland Station

Tech Ridge Park & Ride

South Congress Transit Center

Get more information on secured bike shelters here. Follow this link to learn more about Capital Metro’s bike-friendly transit.

Distracted driving is a primary factor that contributes to one out of every six traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Daydreaming is the number one distraction. Cognitive distractions can happen at any moment while driving. From commuting to running errands, drivers can easily become distracted by their thoughts. Thinking about a work-related problem or daydreaming about your dinner plans diminishes the mental abilities required to drive safely. The danger of daydreaming and driving is that you don’t become aware of it until an accident has happened. According to a 2018 study by Erie Insurance, 61 percent of fatal car crashes were caused by people who claim to be “lost in their thoughts.” Unlike texting and driving, daydreaming might be more difficult to avoid. Maintaining a clear mind and staying actively engaged are essential to preventing distracted driving.

#JustDrive #HeadsUpAustin

Follow these tips to stay alert and aware:

Plan your driving routes. This allows you to stay focused on the road and not on figuring out directions.

Self-check your mental and emotional state. It might be best to get a ride or take transit and avoid driving if you are feeling emotionally or mentally overwhelmed.

Make a playlist with music that helps you focus. Upbeat music can help you stay alert and awake. Download the music that works best for you.

Texting while driving has become one of the leading causes of distracted-driving related accidents, especially among teens and young adults. Statistics show that even though texting while driving is banned in 47 states it is still a common practice despite the risks involved. Technology is ingrained in the lives of teens and young adults generating constant distractions while driving. Talking, texting and posting to social media increases the probability of being involved in a car accident. Sending out a text message, even with voice assistance, may not seem dangerous but it can be devastating. Staying focused while driving is not always easy, but it can be life-saving. Call or text later when you’re off the road! #JustDrive #HeadsUpAustin

We will highlight examples of the three most common types of distracted driving; cognitive, manual and visual, and offer tips to avoid these risky behaviors. As drivers, we must be aware of our behaviors to prevent and avoid accidents and strive to always act responsibly when behind the wheel. Traffic deaths and injuries are no joke.

Numerous accidents are caused by unnecessary distractions like texting, talking on the phone, eating, applying makeup or simply daydreaming. Don’t put yourself or someone else at risk when you’re behind the wheel. Take this month to pledge to become a better driver. Stay tuned for our weekly blogs with information and tips on ways to prevent distracted driving.

This year during SXSW, Capital Metro has deployed three K-9 teams to deter crime through random, unannounced searches and sweeps at our facilities and on our transit vehicles. The K-9s are trained to detect odors from materials and chemicals used to make explosives. Continue reading “Sniffing Out Crime”→